Tommy Lloyd
Author: Tommy Lloyd, Managing Director

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.

Originally posted: 1st Sep 2022

Why Do You Need Travel Insurance for Epilepsy?

You may think that because you have epilepsy, you’ll find it difficult to get travel insurance to cover you, but don’t worry because we’re here to help. When you’re looking for travel insurance for an upcoming trip, it’s likely that you’ll need to tell your travel insurance provider about your epilepsy alongside any other medical conditions.

A travel insurance policy that provides specific cover for epilepsy takes away any worry, leaving you confident in the knowledge you’ll be protected should anything happen. What’s more, we’re here to help you find the right cover for you and as simply as possible, comparing prices from over 30 leading travel insurance companies all in one place.

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What Does Epilepsy Travel Insurance Typically Cover?

Holiday insurance for someone with epilepsy varies across the different specialist epilepsy travel insurance providers - but in the main, most policies will include cover for the following for people with epilepsy: 

  • Emergency medical expenses and repatriation - if you’re hospitalised, or even need to be brought back to the UK for medical treatment as a result of your epilepsy.
  • Lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings - this could include any medication that you’re taking with you to treat your epilepsy.  
  • Cancellation and curtailment - if you suddenly decide to cancel your trip or end up cutting it short.
  • Travel delay - if your flight is delayed, you may be covered for your additional expenses.
  • Personal liability - if you cause accidental damage to another person or someone else’s property - cover is provided.
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How to Get Travel Insurance for Someone with Epilepsy

If you’ve seen a medical professional (such as a GP, or even a hospital trip) or have taken any medication for your condition (including repeat prescriptions) within the last 2 years, then you will need to declare that you live with epilepsy.

To get a better understanding of your condition and make sure we help you find the right travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, we’ll ask you a number of simple questions about your epilepsy. This quick medical screening will help us determine the cover you’ll need - and create a list of quotes from only the most relevant specialist epilepsy travel insurance providers. 

For example, some of the questions you may be asked are:

  • If awake, do you normally lose consciousness during a seizure?
  • How many seizures causing loss of consciousness have you had in the last 6 months?
  • How many unplanned hospital admissions have you had for epilepsy/seizures in the last 12 months?
  • How many different medicines do you take for your epilepsy/seizures?

The process is really simple, and you’ll complete it in no time.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, MBE

Top Tips for Travelling if You Have Epilepsy

Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.

With a few simple precautions and a little advance planning, you can keep the risk of seizures to a minimum and maximise the chance of coming back with nothing but happy memories.

  • Many epilepsy medications are controlled drugs, which means there may be special regulations covering when or whether you can take them with you. Taking some controlled drugs into certain countries is illegal, regardless of the reason. Before you book, you'll need to check the list on the website of the relevant foreign embassy in the UK to make sure you can travel with your medication. Our article on carrying medication abroad has all the details of what you need to do.
  • Make sure you have the necessary paperwork. Even if you don't use controlled drugs, you will probably need a letter and/or a copy of your repeat prescription. Keep your medication in its original packaging with your name on the label.
  • Remember that drugs may have different names in different countries. If you take branded medication (e.g. Epilim) ask your pharmacist for the details of the generic drug name too (in this case, Sodium valproate). This will help just in case you do need to access medical help or medication abroad.
  • Think about time zones. Missing or delaying your regular medication could increase the risk of a seizure. If you're travelling across time zones, work out how you need to adjust your medication timing gradually: your pharmacist can help if you're in doubt.
  • Check out travel times. Lack of sleep can increase your risk of having a seizure. This could be an issue if your travel involves early starts or late arrivals, or if you're travelling across time zones and could suffer jet lag.

You can find out more in my full guide.

Top Tips for Travelling with Epilepsy

Compare quotes from specialist epilepsy travel insurance providers

Our online quote comparison tool enables you to compare cover across a range of epilepsy travel insurance providers in minutes.

Once you’ve told us where you’re going and for how long - you can let us know about your pre-existing health conditions and declare your epilepsy. When you’ve answered the questions in relation to your medical history, we’ll show you with a list of quotes to compare from. 

We work with over 30 specialist medical travel insurance providers - so you certainly won’t be short of choice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Epilepsy travel insurance is a specialist insurance policy designed to provide coverage for individuals living with epilepsy. It ensures you’re protected in case of medical emergencies related to your condition while abroad, as well as other common travel concerns like lost belongings, cancellations, or delays.

No, most standard policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions such as epilepsy. With us, you can compare specialist travel insurance providers who include tailored cover for your condition to avoid unexpected medical expenses while travelling.

Yes, you’ll need to tell your insurer about your epilepsy, as well as any other pre-existing medical conditions. This helps ensure your policy provides the right level of cover. Using our medical screening tool, you’ll be asked a few simple questions about your condition during the application process, such as how many seizures you’ve had in the past six months and the medication you’re currently taking.

For more information on our medical screening tool, read our guide here

While protection varies between providers, most policies include protection for:

  • Emergency medical expenses and repatriation if you’re hospitalised or need to return to the UK for treatment.
  • Lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings, including essential medication for epilepsy.
  • Cancellation cover if your condition prevents you from travelling.
  • Travel delays to cover additional expenses for extended waits.

Yes, most epilepsy travel insurance policies are designed to provide cover if you need to seek medical help, following a seizure during your trip. This typically includes emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and, if necessary, repatriation back home.

Always carry your insurance documents with you while travelling and know how to contact your insurer in case of an emergency.

Definitely! You can extend your policy with optional extras, like:

  • Gadget cover for phones, laptops, or cameras.
  • Cruise cover if your trip involves travelling by sea.
  • Winter sports cover if you plan to hit the slopes.

Ask your provider about the extras available and whether they match your holiday plans.

Finding the right policy is easy with comparison tools like ours. Simply provide details about your trip and medical history, and we’ll show you quotes from over 30 specialist insurers in minutes. This way, you can pick the best cover for your needs at a competitive price.

es, you can travel with epilepsy medication, but it’s essential to prepare in advance to ensure a smooth process. Keep your medication in its original packaging, clearly labelled with your name and prescription details. Carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter explaining your condition and the necessity of the medication.

Make sure you pack enough medication to last for the duration of your trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays.

For more tips, read our Travelling with Medication guide.

There are no restrictions in place when travelling with epilepsy. However, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Check the regulations around your medication for the country you’re visiting. Some epilepsy medications are controlled substances.
  • Carry the necessary paperwork, including your repeat prescription and a letter from your doctor, in case you need to replace medication while abroad.
  • Plan your medication around time zone changes to ensure you take doses on time.
  • Get plenty of rest and avoid factors that may trigger seizures, such as lack of sleep or jet lag.

For more advice, visit our complete Guide to Travelling with Epilepsy.

If you experience a seizure whilst travelling, it is important to remain as calm as possible. Inform someone nearby about your condition if you can, or carry a medical ID or a note explaining your epilepsy.

Seek medical assistance if the seizure lasts longer than usual if it occurs in unfamiliar circumstances, or if you have sustained an injury during the episode.

Make sure to contact your travel insurer’s emergency helpline as soon as it is safe to do so. They can provide guidance on accessing local medical care and assist with any necessary arrangements.

For more tips, read our guide How to Find Medical Care Abroad

If your condition worsens or a medical emergency arises before your trip, epilepsy travel insurance typically provides cancellation cover. This can help reimburse costs such as flights, accommodation, or pre-paid excursions.

Check your policy documents for specific details on cancellation limits.

You can compare quotes across leading providers with our online comparison tool. It’s quick, easy, and provides you with options tailored to your needs.

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* Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, who has declared Epilepsy and is travelling to France for 7 nights. The price is correct as of January 2025. Prices may vary according to your individual requirements.


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